Solving Gauss' Law Problem: Comparing Electric Field and Flux Magnitudes

[TwinGemini14]

An infinite line charge lies on the z-axis with l = 2 µC/m. Coxaial with that line charge are: an infinite conducting shell (with no net charge) with thickness 1 cm and with inner radius 2 cm and outer radius 3 cm, an infinite shell with a radius of 4 cm and with a net charge of -5 µC/m, and another infinite conducting shell (with no net charge) with a thickness of 1 cm and with an inner radius of 5 cm and outer radius of 6 cm. A cross sectional view of this setup is shown below:

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/u.../elecshell.gif
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Gauss' Law = |(E . DA) = Qenclosed / (Epsilon-not)
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1) Compare the magnitude of the electrical flux through a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 1.5 cm to that of a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 3.5 cm.

A) Flux1.5 cm > Flux3.5 cm
B) Flux1.5 cm = Flux3.5 cm
C) Flux1.5 cm < Flux3.5 cm

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My logic is this. At 1.5cm the field is closer to the surface with a +2u C/m. Near 3.5, it is near a surface with a net charge of -5u C/m. So the magnitude of the e field is probably greater near the -5u C/m surface. According to Gauss' Law, since the magnitude of the e field is greater and the area is greater (3.5cm radius > 1.5cm radius), then the answer should be C.

So I said the answer is C.

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2) Compare the magnitude of the electric field at 2.5 cm from the z-axis and 4.5 cm from the z-axis.

A) E2.5 cm > E4.5 cm
B) E2.5 cm = E4.5 cm
C) E2.5 cm < E4.5 cm

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Here, E2.5 cm is zero because it is within the conducting shell. Since the E field is not zero at 4.5 cm, the magnitude must be greater.

So I said the answer is C.


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3) Compare the magnitude (i.e., the absolute value) of the electrical flux through a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 4.5 cm to that of a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 5.5cm.

A) Flux4.5 cm > Flux5.5 cm
B) Flux4.5 cm = Flux5.5 cm
C) Flux4.5 cm < Flux5.5 cm

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Since 5.5 cm is within a conducting shell, it's e field = 0. So then its flux must also be zero due to Gauss' Law. So the magnitude of the flux is greater in 4.5cm.

So I said the answer is A.

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Can somebody please help me with this problem and review my answers because I am not sure about it. How do I go about this problem in a more precise fashion? Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[Doc Al]

You posted an incomplete link to your diagram.

1) Compare the magnitude of the electrical flux through a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 1.5 cm to that of a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 3.5 cm.

A) Flux1.5 cm > Flux3.5 cm
B) Flux1.5 cm = Flux3.5 cm
C) Flux1.5 cm < Flux3.5 cm

----------------------------------
My logic is this. At 1.5cm the field is closer to the surface with a +2u C/m. Near 3.5, it is near a surface with a net charge of -5u C/m. So the magnitude of the e field is probably greater near the -5u C/m surface. According to Gauss' Law, since the magnitude of the e field is greater and the area is greater (3.5cm radius > 1.5cm radius), then the answer should be C.

So I said the answer is C.

What determines the net flux through a Gaussian surface per Gauss's law? How does that compare for Gaussian surfaces at the two radii in question?

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2) Compare the magnitude of the electric field at 2.5 cm from the z-axis and 4.5 cm from the z-axis.

A) E2.5 cm > E4.5 cm
B) E2.5 cm = E4.5 cm
C) E2.5 cm < E4.5 cm

----------------------------------
Here, E2.5 cm is zero because it is within the conducting shell. Since the E field is not zero at 4.5 cm, the magnitude must be greater.

So I said the answer is C.

Good thinking.

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3) Compare the magnitude (i.e., the absolute value) of the electrical flux through a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 4.5 cm to that of a cylindrical surface, 1 m long, (centered on the z-axis) with a radius of 5.5cm.

A) Flux4.5 cm > Flux5.5 cm
B) Flux4.5 cm = Flux5.5 cm
C) Flux4.5 cm < Flux5.5 cm

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Since 5.5 cm is within a conducting shell, it's e field = 0. So then its flux must also be zero due to Gauss' Law. So the magnitude of the flux is greater in 4.5cm.

So I said the answer is A.

Right. But the flux is zero not due to Gauss's law, but due to the fact that the field is zero.

 

[TwinGemini14]

Sorry about that! I don't know what happened, but here is the link to the diagram. Thank you so much!

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu347/TwinGemini14/elecshell.gif